Ferguson ready to offer Nani new United contract... but troublesome winger must be willing to battle for first-team place

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has offered Nani a lifeline at the club – if the Portugal winger is ready to agree terms over a new contract and accept that he will not be guaranteed a first-team place.

Nani, who cost £17million from Sporting Lisbon in 2007, could leave as a free agent when his deal runs out next year after United refused to meet his demands for £130,000 a week.

However, Monday’s match-winning performance off the bench against Reading in the FA Cup – he scored the first goal and set up the second – was a reminder of what the 26-year-old can do and Ferguson believes Nani has a future at the club.

Talented: But Nani is far from one of the first names on Sir Alex Ferguson's team sheet

‘Definitely we want to keep him,’ said the United manager yesterday. ‘He’s one of the best match-winners in the game and I’m including the whole of Europe.

‘He wants guaranteed first-team football but he can guarantee that, his performance the other night can guarantee that. We’re trying our best because he’s such a match-winning player and capable of scoring the most incredible goals.’

If the two sides cannot reach a compromise, United will have to consider selling Nani or risk losing a player – valued at £25m five months ago – for nothing.

Incoming: When Wilfried Zaha arrives in the summer, there will be even more pressure on Nani

They were ready to let him join Zenit St Petersburg in September but he turned down the move following talks. There were also links with a number of other teams, including Juventus, Porto and Arsenal. Since then it has been a difficult season on and off the pitch for Nani.

Ferguson substituted him at half-time after a poor showing at Liverpool in September and blamed him publicly for United’s Capital One Cup defeat by Chelsea.

Nani landed himself in more trouble with the manager for punching young teammate Davide Petrucci before a torn hamstring ruled him out for more than two months.

Waiting in the wings: Both Antonio Valencia (left) and Ashley Young (right) give Ferguson options out wide

The £15m signing of Wilfried Zaha from Crystal Palace has added to the uncertainty over Nani’s future, with Antonio Valencia and Ashley Young already established as United’s first-choice wingers.

‘Our options are fantastic,’ said Ferguson. ‘Valencia has been fantastic for us, we’ve got Ashley Young who can play on the left and Ryan Giggs who can play on the left in a different way. It puts us in a strong position.’

The United boss confirmed that Wayne Rooney is doubtful for Saturday’s game at bottom-of-the-table QPR with a sinus infection. The England striker has been on medication since falling ill last Saturday.

Unwell: And Wayne Rooney could struggle to face QPR on Saturday

Victory at Loftus Road would put United 15 points clear at the top of the table before Manchester City face third-placed Chelsea on Sunday and Ferguson warned his rivals they are running out of time to close the gap.

He said: ‘I can understand from City’s point of view that they keep going on about “if United drop points” but they will drop points too, that’s for sure.’

Meanwhile, Phil Jones faces a race to be fit for the Champions League second leg at home to Real Madrid a week on Tuesday, with Ferguson giving the youngster only an ‘outside chance’ of recovering from the ankle injury he suffered against Reading.

He has no intention of changing Jones’ combative style, even though the player has picked up a number of injuries in his short United career.